By Dorcas Achi 

The 9th Imo State House of Assembly had two credible female lawmakers who made laws, influenced implementation, and sponsored motions and bills that favored women. Most notable was the VAPP Law, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law which protects women from violence and guarantees certain rights within families and communities, including the right to inheritance.

 Hon. Ngozi Obiefule’s tenure as House of Assembly Member for Isu constituency was marked by tangible empowerments, positive reforms and women emancipation. Hon. Uju Onwudiwe of Njaba Constituency delivered indelible results for women. She was a voice for women, a renowned advocate, a human rights defender, and a humanitarian of repute.

The two distinguished themselves with bold steps on women’s issues. Their contributions to quality service delivery, orientation, and legislative debates were highly valued in the various House Committees they served.

It is worthy to note that while in office, these women did not represent the interest of women alone.  

They represented the interest of their entire constituencies. Their impact cut across gender, age, and class. They led as women buy they served as legislators for all.

The current 10th Imo House of Assembly has no woman Lawmaker and it is obviously dwindling the voice of women in policy making. It is no coincidence that we are witnessing a high rate of domestic violence, rape, and abuse of women in the state.  

Worse still, a man currently heads the House Committee on Women Affairs and Gender Inclusion. While his effort may be sincere, the reality is this: no matter how hard he works, he cannot bring the same lived experience a woman would bring to that position.  

A woman and a man in the same role will almost certainly approach issues differently. Little wonder there is high rate of domestic violence, rape, abuse of women in Imo. 

A state without female lawmakers suffers from skewed policy priorities, an erosion of democratic legitimacy, and a failure to address critical issues like maternal health, child welfare, and gender-based violence effectively. When an entire demography is missing from the legislature, governance loses balance and perspective.

 Without women lawmakers, critical healthcare funding and protective policies for mothers and infants will receive lower priority. Social Protection Laws may not be discussed and achieved. Legislation addressing domestic abuse, child rights, and family welfare is less likely to be introduced or robustly funded. State budgets may overlook women-dominated micro-enterprises and informal work sectors.

 This is a gross imbalance considering women’s numerical strength. Women have more numbers. They make up roughly half of society; excluding them means laws are made without the direct input of half the constituents.

States like Imo with zero female representation miss out on the unique experiences and perspectives women bring to governance. The absence of women in decision-making has real consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities. Women’s exclusion in politics, make our laws to lose the balance that democracy requires. 

Female politicians still battle cultural stereotypes.  But women’s equal leadership in politics is not optional. it is the key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.  

The truth is, many women worldwide still lack basic rights and face discrimination and violence.  And our parliaments reflect that same inequality.

The important question to ask is why didn’t any woman win a seat in the 2023 elections, leaving the 26-member 10th Imo State House of Assembly completely dominated by men. This outcome may have resulted from structural barriers, electoral outcomes, party primaries dynamics, and deep-rooted cultural/social barriers, family and financial hurdles that limit female candidates from winning competitive legislative elections in the state. 

What should be the solution? Should women form their own political parties, should women vote for their fellow women alone? These are discussions we must have.

But there is a more systemic solution gaining traction. The Reserved Seats Bill for Women is a topical issue.

Many civil society organisations and forward thinking individuals are backing “The reserve Seat Bill for women” which seeks to establish 37 reserved seats for women in the Senate, an equivalent allocation in the House of Representatives, and 3 seats in each House of Assembly. This model has worked  Going by the success of similar initiatives in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, where women have demonstrated exceptional governance capabilities. If the Reserved Seats Bill has yielded positive results in these countries, there’s no reason why it cannot be replicated in Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, the first female Speaker of South Sudan’s National Assembly, a country where women now occupy 33% of parliamentary seats had endorsed the Reserved Seats for Women Bill. She inspired many people by sharing her experiences of leading a nation that is rebuilding after years of conflict. There is no limit to what a woman in power can do. 

This is why there is a current push for constitutional reform. Stakeholders are advocating for an amendment to create special reserved seats for women, not to replace merit, but to bridge a gap created by decades of structural inequality. In that way there will be three extra seats for the House of Assembly, so that instead of having 27 lawmakers, there will be 30 lawmakers in a whole, making the three extra seats exclusively for women.

Let us be clear, women are capable of competing and winning. But age-long challenges continue to hinder full participation. Reserved seats will allow women to work, grow, and lead within their own pace, while proving their capacity to the electorate.

As we approach 2027, Imo must do better.  Imo need women representation.

We had it right in the 9th Assembly. We cannot afford to go backward in the 11th.  

The VAPP Law, empowerment programs, and advocacy on gender-based violence must not die because there is no woman at the table. Imo needs women lawmakers for balanced policies, for stronger democracy, for the safety and dignity of our mothers, sisters, and daughters.

Thankfully, Imo State is witnessing the emergence of rare-breed and credible women contesting for the Imo State House of Assembly from their various constituencies. They are women of capacity, character, and compassion.

 The likes of Hon. Edith Nwosu, the APP candidate for Nwangele Constituency. 

She is a woman of enterprise and empathy. The CEO of Sherwood Oil and Gas Limited, and the Founder of the Edith Nwosu Healthcare Foundation for Children.

She has taken medical interventions to the nooks and crannies of Nwangele Constituency, reaching the sick, the aged, and the vulnerable where government has not reached.

Through her Empowerment Club, she has lifted youths, women, and Small and Medium Enterprises in Nwangele and beyond. She does not just talk about development. She funds it. She drives it. She delivers it.

Barr. Vivian Otti, the PDP candidate for Oguta Constituency is also another woman who must be considered in 2027 elections. She is a legal luminary. A seasoned media veteran. A voice for justice.

Barr. Vivian Otti has distinguished herself in public service through her unwavering commitment to fairness, equity, and the rule of law.

In every public office she has held, she has made impact. She has also been a pillar of support to women, youths, and men, using her platforms to mentor, to empower, and to uplift lives.

She represents the new face of leadership: intelligent, bold, and people-centered.

Imo needs this kind of women for that positive change we are praying for.